# Legal to drive with headphones? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [July 2, 2007, 5:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legal-to-drive-with-headphones/410205 "2007-07-02T05:55:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![BrandonR](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/779978/32.png) [@BrandonR](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrandonR)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2007, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legal-to-drive-with-headphones/410205/21 "2007-07-03T15:38:01Z")
[QUOTE=CurtC] On the other hand, I use the open-ear kind of headphones, like this: > **[Amazon.com: Sony MDR-J10 H.Ear Headphones with Non-Slip Design (Blue) :...](https://www.amazon.com/Sony-MDR-J10-Headphones-Non-Slip-Design/dp/B00007EDM8)** > > VERTICAL IN-THE-EAR DESIGNCLIP STYLE HEADPHONENON-SLIP STABLE DESIGNMINIMIZED SOUND LEAKAGEOPEN-AIR13.5MM DRIVER UNITSADJUSTABLE TANGLE-FREE STORAGE CORDBLUEUPC : 027242596368Shipping Dimensions : 7.00in X 4.00in X 1.45inEstimated Shipping Weight :... I tested, and with these in but the volume turned off, I still hear outside noises just the same. I can’t see how this is any different from listening to the radio. [/QUOTE] Well in general headphones block out outside noises a lot more than your radio ever thought about doing… Since your radio’s speakers aren’t covering your ears. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Slant](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c57346/32.png) [@Mr.Slant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Slant)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2007, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legal-to-drive-with-headphones/410205/22 "2007-07-03T15:48:16Z")
[QUOTE=Belrix] FWIW: My deaf former girlfriend had a license restriction that required her to have side mirrors on her car. This was in LA (Lower Alabama). Driving with headphones is illegal in Colorado. I remember that from my recent [debacle concerning reinstating my license](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=424926). [/QUOTE] Side mirrors required, huh? Probably not a problem unless she drives stripped work-truck package pickups or a '59 Desoto. ---
**Author:** ![Rick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9f8e36/32.png) [@Rick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2007, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legal-to-drive-with-headphones/410205/23 "2007-07-03T16:06:34Z")
[QUOTE=CurtC] On the other hand, I use the open-ear kind of headphones, like this: > **[Amazon.com: Sony MDR-J10 H.Ear Headphones with Non-Slip Design (Blue) :...](https://www.amazon.com/Sony-MDR-J10-Headphones-Non-Slip-Design/dp/B00007EDM8)** > > VERTICAL IN-THE-EAR DESIGNCLIP STYLE HEADPHONENON-SLIP STABLE DESIGNMINIMIZED SOUND LEAKAGEOPEN-AIR13.5MM DRIVER UNITSADJUSTABLE TANGLE-FREE STORAGE CORDBLUEUPC : 027242596368Shipping Dimensions : 7.00in X 4.00in X 1.45inEstimated Shipping Weight :... I tested, and with these in but the volume turned off, I still hear outside noises just the same. So unless a police officer tells me not to, I’ll just keep right on, thank you very much… [/QUOTE] :rolleyes: :dubious: Maybe it’s just me, but I am guessing that you don’t have the volume turned all the off when you are listening to podcasts. This would render the results from your “test” pretty worthless don’t you think? ---
**Author:** ![iamthewalrus\_3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/258eb7/32.png) [@iamthewalrus\_3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iamthewalrus_3)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2007, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legal-to-drive-with-headphones/410205/24 "2007-07-03T16:59:11Z")
[QUOTE=Rick] :rolleyes: :dubious: Maybe it’s just me, but I am guessing that you don’t have the volume turned all the off when you are listening to podcasts. This would render the results from your “test” pretty worthless don’t you think? [/QUOTE] The test was to see if the headphones _blocked_ outside sounds. They don’t appear to. The fact that they add sound of their own isn’t a factor in how they block outside sound, since the radio does the same thing. Of course, convincing yourself isn’t really much use if the law says otherwise. ---
**Author:** ![Hello\_Again](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/85e7bf/32.png) [@Hello\_Again](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hello_Again)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2007, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legal-to-drive-with-headphones/410205/25 "2007-07-03T19:07:53Z")
In high school we did this simple experiment: 1. Put headphone on, without music playing. Take your hands and, while looking forward, move them apart until they disappear from view. This is your range of peripheral vision. 2. Turn music on, repeat task. Peripheral vision is noticably reduced. I’m pretty sure this doesn’t happen to deaf people. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2007, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legal-to-drive-with-headphones/410205/26 "2007-07-03T23:06:57Z")
Way back in the '80s, in New York State, I was pulled over for wearing my Walkman phones. I didn’t get a ticket though. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legal-to-drive-with-headphones/410205.md?page=1)